Georgian Opposition to Soviet Rule (1956-1989) and the Causes of Resentment
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Georgian Opposition to Soviet Rule (1956-1989) and the Causes of Resentment between Georgia and Russia Master‘s Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Lisa Anne Goddard Graduate Program in Slavic and East European Studies The Ohio State University 2011 Master‘s Thesis Committee: Nicholas Breyfogle, Advisor Theodora Dragostinova Irma Murvanishvili Copyright by Lisa Anne Goddard 2011 Abstract This Master‘s thesis seeks to examine the question of strained relations between Georgia and the Russian Federation, paying particular attention to the Georgian revolts of 1956, 1978 and 1989 during the Soviet era. By examining the results of these historical conflicts, one can discern a pattern of three major causes of the tensions between these neighboring peoples: disagreement with Russia over national identity characteristics such as language, disputes over territory, and degradation of symbols of national legacy. It is through conflicts and revolts on the basis of these three factors that Georgian anti- Russian sentiment and Russian anti-Georgian sentiment developed. This thesis is divided into four chapters that will explore the origins and results of each uprising, as well as the evolving conceptions of national identity that served as a backdrop to the conflicts. Following an introduction that lays out the primary questions and findings of the thesis, the second chapter gives a brief history of Georgia and its relationship with Russia, as well as outlines the history and dynamic nature of Georgian national identity. Chapter three, the core chapter, presents the Georgian rebellions during the Soviet era, their causes, and their relevance to this thesis. It then concludes with an analysis of the events and how they are linked to the main argument. Each rebellion was sparked by one of three major causes: the 1956 rebellion was caused by the Khrushchev administration‘s invalidation of Georgia‘s symbolic national legacy by denigrating Stalin and barring any celebration of this (then) Georgian national hero. In 1978, attempts by ii the Georgian leadership to impose the Russian language on the Georgian SSR represented an attack on Georgian identity that sparked strong opposition. Finally, the landmark events of 1989 began as a territorial dispute over Abkhazian separatist demands for secession from the Georgian SSR but then exploded into a broad demand for Georgian independence from the Soviet Union. 1989‘s uprising is especially important for this chapter in that 1989 is the first uprising in which an independence movement was extremely vocal and led to permanent changes within Georgia. Chapter four then examines the results of these rebellions and concludes that Georgian anti-Russian sentiment was established during Imperial Georgian occupation and was subsequently bolstered by events and policies within Georgia‘s time as a republic of the Soviet Union. Finally, an epilogue is also included in order to examine how the defining 2008 conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation was connected to the rebellions of the post-1956 period, particularly 1989. The epilogue concludes with the direction in which Georgian and Russian relations may continue in the future, based in the findings of this thesis. Thus, I assert that the animosity that we see today between Russia and Georgia is not only a result of Georgian independence in 1991, but rather came from a much longer term of erosion, beginning particularly in 1956 and subsequently expanding with each major uprising in Soviet Georgia. iii Dedication To my Mother, you have been my inspiration for all of this. To my Father, for always listening about this thesis, even if you never understood. To Dan, for countless hours of proofreading without complaint and for your belief. iv Acknowledgements It is a pleasure to acknowledge the guidance and inspiration of Nicholas Breyfogle; my thesis committee; The Slavic Center at The Ohio State University; and my many colleagues who have supported me throughout this process. v Vita May 2005 ...........................................A.S Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary December 2007 ..................................B.A. International Studies, B.S. Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University Fields of Study Major Field: Slavic and East European Studies vi Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................ii Dedication ................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... v Vita ............................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures ........................................................................................................ viii CHAPTER 1: Introduction ........................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 2: Introducing Georgia ............................................................................ 6 CHAPTER 3: Rebellions ......................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER 4: Consequences and Conclusions ........................................................ 47 EPILOGUE .............................................................................................................. 50 Bibliography ............................................................................................................ 58 vii List of Figures Figure 1: Modern Georgia ......................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: At the Stalin Monument ........................................................................... 23 Figure 3: Lavrentiy Beria and Svetlana Alliluyeva ................................................ 27 Figure 4: Victims of the April 9th Tragedy ............................................................. 43 viii CHAPTER 1 Introduction This thesis seeks to examine three of the most important, yet least well known Georgian uprisings against the Soviet regime—of 1956, 1978, and 1989— and to explore what effect they have had on the identity politics of contemporary Georgia and its international relations with Russia. I posit that these rebellions, when combined with the history that preceded them, created not just new levels of stark anti-Russian sentiment within modern Georgia but also an ever increasing demand for political and cultural independence and a severing of relations with Russia. As such, the 1956 revolts and the uprisings that followed represent a notable turning point in the modern history of Georgian-Russian relations. These rebellions also exemplify what seem to be three main catalysts of Georgian and Russian conflict (and three primary sources of modern Georgian national pride and identity): disagreements over territory, identity and language politics, and the importance of national symbols and national legacy. This thesis also strives to answer the question: why have the relations between Georgia and Russia been so poor over the past few years and why is such antagonism important to issues of regional security and politics both now and in the future? The roots of modern resentment are found in the lasting tensions brought on by the results of the post-1956 period, set in motion through a pattern of conflict between the countries. Therefore, beginning with the events of 1956 and with each 1 rebellion that took place in the Soviet period, the relationship between the two peoples eroded further; in effect causing what one may refer to as a ‗snowball effect,‘ leading to ever greater Georgian demands for separation from contact with Russia and Russians. This thesis will explore these issues in four chapters and an epilogue. Following this introduction, which explains the primary questions and findings of this thesis, chapter two will present a brief history of Georgia and its interaction with Russia since its annexation into the Imperial Russian Empire until the post World War II era. In order to better understand the results of these post-WWII rebellions, we will also examine the history of Georgian national identity to gain insight into the way that Georgians reacted in these revolts. Their varied reactions (dissidence, violence) illustrate the inadequacies of the Soviet Union‘s administration in Georgia. Thus the foundation for mutual antipathy was laid during Russian occupation. In chapter three, the core chapter of this thesis, I will present the three rebellions of 1956, 1978 and 1989, with particular attention on the events of 1956. 1956 saw an uprising sparked in part by Nikita Khrushchev‘s famous ―Secret Speech‖—which unveiled the extent of Stalin‘s terror upon the Soviet people and condemned Stalinism—and in part by a Soviet refusal to allow the Georgians to celebrate a national holiday in honor of Stalin. Whereas each rebellion was different in circumstance and cause, 1956 was the watershed event that set the precedent for the future rebellions that would later take place. 1956 is a key element in my argument as it marks the beginning of a shift toward a demand among 2 ome Georgians to organize new relations with Russia: particularly the severing of relations and independence for